Female Novel
Chapter 2387
As Luke looked at how troubled Luca was, he placed the ladder beside the osmanthus tree.
“Have you thought of how we should hang the lights?" Luke smiled and asked.
Luca shook her head, telling him that she was in a dilemma.
Luke squeezed her hand and said, "The landscapers did leave us a spot to hang these back then."
Luca exclaimed in surprise, "Really?"
Luca was definitely not as professional as the landscapers when it came to decorating the garden. Ifthe landscapers had left them a spot, then hanging the decorative lights there would definitely lookgood.
"Aunt Neile, connect the power plug to the socket outside the entrance." Luke took a bunch of coloreddecorative lights out of the bag and handed the plug to Aunt Neile.
"Okay, Mr. Crawford." Aunt Neile took the plug from him and walked away to connect it to the socket.
Luca noticed that there were small hooks on the outside of the wall. She thought they were for otherdecorations, but she did not expect that they could hang the decorative lights here.
She could already imagine how wonderful the place would look when the decorative lights were lit up atnight.
After Aunt Neile hung the first bunch of decorative lights, she continued with the second one. Shefollowed the hooks that the landscaper had placed there and hung the decorative lights on them.
When she arrived at the garden, she stopped and left the rest to Luke.
Luke took the decorative lights from her and looked at Luca. Then, he said, "Hold the ladder for me."
"Okay." Luca stepped forward to hold the ladder.
Luke climbed up the ladder.
Luca reminded him in a soft voice, "Mr. Crawford, be careful."
"Nothing's going to happen to me if you're the one holding the ladder," replied Luke. He found the smallhook that the landscaper had left on the osmanthus tree. Then, he hung the decorative lights on them.
Half an hour later, they finished decorating the garden.
Aunt Neile turned on the switch. Even though it was still daytime, the colorful decorative lights werealready shining. They looked dim, but everyone could see how beautiful and festive it was.
"They look great. Daddy, you're awesome!" Rainie turned around and gave Luke a thumbs-up gesture.
“Daddy is amazing!" Tommy looked at Luke with admiration.
Luke basked in his achievements when he looked at the garden that was beautifully lit.
When Luke asked the landscapers to design the yard back then, he took into consideration that Lucawould like these small decorations, especially during the new year. She loved putting up decorativelights to liven up the atmosphere. That was why he asked the landscapers to make such designs tomake it convenient for him to hang the decorative lights.
Luke looked at Luca, who was slowly walking toward him. The snowflakes that fell on her shoulderembellished her beauty with pure white color. He asked, "Do you like it?"
"I like it. The place looks beautiful." Luca smiled. The landscapers' meticulous thought allowed them tomake the place look absolutely beautiful.
Aunt Neile looked at them, and she smiled too. Then, she said, "Mr. Crawford, Ms. Craw, I'm off toprepare lunch first."
"Aunt Neile, let me prepare lunch. You can go home early and accompany your family," replied Luca asshe shook her head. Aunt Neile should go on her holiday after finishing her work this morning.
"Can I?" Aunt Neile was a little surprised.
"It's already New Year's Eve. I believe your family members are waiting for you too. Just get off work,Aunt Neile," replied Luca with a gentle smile on her face.
"Off you go, Aunt Neile. Thank you for your hard work." Luke took a small envelope out of his pocket.
Luke prepared the envelope when he woke up in the morning. He was planning to give it to Aunt Neilebefore she got off work. It was a token of appreciation.
Aunt Neile immediately shook her head when she saw Luke handing her the envelope. She said,"Boss, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be receiving this."
"You've been working for the Crawford family for the whole year. You should take the envelope. This isyour New Year's gift," replied Luke. The maids in Crawford Manor had a rotating shift schedule.
However, Luke had discussed this with Luca and they agreed that there was nothing important goingon during the new year. That was why they let Aunt Neile go back home and accompany her family.novelbin
"Mr. Crawford, you've already given me a bonus." Aunt Neile was too embarrassed to receive Luke'senvelope.
"Aunt Neile, just take it. This isn't a bonus. This is a gift. I heard Mr. Crawford say that every maidworking for the Crawford family will receive one every New Year," said Luca.
That was Old Master Crawford's tradition.
Aunt Neile finally received the envelope and thanked them, "Thank you, Mr. Crawford. Thank you, Ms.Luca."
"Lliam is already outside waiting for you. He'll be sending you home. Aunt Neile, happy new year." Lukehad made arrangements for everything.
Luke had always appreciated people who worked hard. Someone like Aunt Neile truly treated Luca andhis kids well, so he would treat her well too.
"Thank you, Mr. Crawford. I shall leave first." After that, Aunt Neile headed outside.
Luca breathed out some air and said, "It's too cold out here. Shall we go in?'
"Sure." Luke nodded. He held Lanie's and Rainie's hands, while Tommy took the initiative to holdLuca's hand. He walked back into the house with a spring in his steps.
The first thing they did when they entered the house was to take off their coats. It was to prevent thesnow on their shoulders from melting and wetting their shirt.
Luca looked at the three kids and asked, “What would you like to have for lunch today?”
“Ms. Luca, we always have Hoppin' John on New Year's Eve. I'd like to have it today!” Tommy raisedhis hand. Although they could have Hoppin' John when they returned to Crawford Manor, it was notmade by Luca. It would not taste like home.
Tommy wanted to eat Luca's homemade Hoppin' John.
"Ah, Hoppin' John. Sure." Luca agreed with him. Previously, Aunt Neile mentioned that they would behaving Hoppin' John on New Year's Eve. That was why she bought black-eyed peas and bacon.
Luca glanced at the time. She still had enough time to prepare lunch. Then, she said, “You can watchcartoons first. I'll be preparing Hoppin' John in the kitchen."
“Great!" Tommy clapped his hands. Lanie and Rainie smiled too.
They loved the Hoppin' John that Luca made.
Luke followed Luca into the kitchen. He rolled up his sleeves and walked toward Luca. She wascooking the bacon. Luke asked, "Is there anything I can help with?"
Luca was startled for a moment and looked at him, "Mr. Crawford, do you know how to cook?"
“Not really. Should I just stir it?” Luke asked.
Luca, “...”
Then, Luca added the celery, onion, and green pepper into the pan. She said, "It's okay. I can handlethis."
“The kids will get hungry if you take too long. Is there anything I can do for you?” Luke tried to tell herthat he could be of help even though he was not good at cooking.
Since Luke insisted on helping, Luca said, “Then can you please help me mince the garlic?”
“Is this the right knife to mince the garlic?” Luke had eaten garlic before, but this was his first timetouching a clove of garlic.
Luca glanced at it and confirmed with him, “Yes. Mince them finely. Like... those on Hoppin' John.”
“I've eaten Hoppin' John before,” replied Luke.
Luca tried to explain it in detail to him as she was worried that he would not be able to mince it properly.
Although Luke had never seen a clove of garlic before, he had eaten it minced.
Luke had eaten Hoppin' John before. He knew exactly what the garlic was supposed to look like.